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Modi slams Centre for overriding states' powers

Meet on internal security: CMs demand debate on NCTC, BSF Act amendment
Last Updated 16 April 2012, 20:07 IST

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the Centre for the recent controversies with the Army and indicated that it may impact internal security.

Observing that “the present Union Government has failed to instill faith and confidence about our defence preparedness in the common man,” Modi, while addressing the chief ministers’ meeting on internal security, urged the Centre to “take proactive steps to clear the fog of mistrust and suspicion that has arisen on account of the recent unseemly controversy and not remain content with mere issuance of statements.”

Modi was joined by his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalitha in attacking the Centre. She accused the Centre of encroaching on state powers through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in contravention to constitutional provisions that accord priority status to police in the state list.

She warned against an emerging pattern wherein the state's powers were “abrogated” by the Centre through passage of bills .

Noting that the armed forces play an important role in the anti-infiltration, anti insurgency etc, Modi said, “any lacunae in our defence capabilities on account of resources constraints, demoralisation of the rank and file and tensions between the civil and military wings is bound to have an adverse impact on the internal security of the nation.”

Modi also slammed what he called the “non-consultative approach” of the Centre and “unilaterally” designing and executing the security superstructure of the nation, ignoring the chief ministers’ suggestions on crucial matters of internal and external security including NCTC imbroglio, recent amendments to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Act and BSF Act, creating a wide rift of “mistrust and suspicion” between the Centre and the States.

He expressed grave concern over internal security, too serious a matter, to be treated as an arena for “one-upmanship” and added that state governments must be seen as partners in upholding the security of the Nation.

On terrorism, he said : “Terrorism has international ramifications and we are often subjected to cross border terrorisms. It puzzles me as to what a helpless situation we are put in to, even we are unable to bring the perpetrators of terror to justice,” he questioned.

Jayalalitha alleged that the Centre has “scant respect” for constitutionally-elected state governments which she charged were being treated like municipalities.

Issue of federalism

In a bid to consolidate opposition, chief ministers further mounted pressure on the Centre on the issue of federalism. Jayalalitha held parleys with  Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Both the chief ministers met her in Tamil Nadu House after attending the ‘Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security’.  They are believed to have discussed on the strategy to be adopted on the issue of NCTC during the chief ministers’ meeting scheduled to be held on May 5.

The non-Congress chief ministers have joined hands not only on the issue of NCTC, but also on the RPF Act and the BSF Act, which they consider to be an “encroachment on the powers of state”.

The meeting between Patnaik and Jayalalitha was held for nearly 25 minutes. However, he was tightlipped and, refused to divulge any details of the meeting. He said that she’s an “old family friend of my father”.  Modi, too, refused to talk to the media.

Nitish’s stance

Though all the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and the  chief Minister of Punjab of Akali Dal are to join hands in cornering the Centre, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is showing some distance from this consolidation. He has similar views on federalism, however, he does not seem to be  joining any formation to which  Modi is a part.

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(Published 16 April 2012, 12:07 IST)

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